Men Should Weep-Theme

Poverty

Dominating Force: Poverty is a dominant theme throughout the play, shaping the lives and interactions of the Morrison family and their neighbours. The theme of poverty is evident in both the physical setting and the characters' dialogue and actions.

Confining Setting: The stage design, with its doors, curtains, and bed recess, creates the impression of a confined space, reflecting the limitations imposed by their impoverished circumstances. The setting reinforces how poverty restricts their lives.

Lack of Basic Necessities: The characters struggle to possess fundamental clothing and even lack essential items. For instance, Edie wears a mishmash of cast-off clothing, and Lily realises she doesn't have a pair of knickers to her name. This emphasises their deprivation and economic hardship.

Deteriorating Living Conditions: The Morrison family's living conditions are deplorable, with the state of their home contributing to the deterioration of Bertie's health. Jenny vividly describes their house as "rotten," "damp," and "a midden," highlighting the harsh living conditions they endure.

Damage to Pride: Poverty not only affects the characters' physical well-being but also damages their pride. John, as the supposed breadwinner, is particularly affected. He expresses his frustration, helplessness, and shame, stating that poverty has turned him into a "wild animal." He questions why they must endure such a life.

Expression of Helplessness: John's repeated use of "if" in his speech conveys his sense of hopelessness, as he feels he hasn't been given a fair chance in life. Living in poverty, he believes, has transformed him into a helpless and defeated individual.

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Drama

Impact on Masculinity: Poverty affects John's sense of masculinity, as he cannot fulfil his role as the provider. This conflict between his traditional male role and his inability to provide for his family becomes a central theme in the play.

Reliance on Others: The family's poverty leads them to rely on the help of others, including Lily, Granny, and Jenny. They receive food, medicine, and financial assistance to survive, underscoring their dependence on external sources.

Struggle to Maintain Gender Roles: Poverty challenges traditional gender roles, with Maggie taking on responsibilities that would typically be considered "women's work." This shift in gender roles is seen in the conflict between John and Jenny regarding their respective responsibilities.

Resolution through Financial Improvement: Jenny's departure and later return with the means to escape poverty represent a turning point in the play. Her newfound financial stability rescues the family from their dire living conditions and marks a shift in the family's fortunes.

Empowerment of Women: The play highlights the evolving roles of women in the face of poverty. While Maggie initially accepts her situation, she later takes control of her family's destiny, challenging traditional gender dynamics.

A Complex Interplay: Poverty is a complex theme that not only shapes the characters' lives but also impacts their pride, relationships, and perceptions of gender roles. It reveals the harsh reality of life in a tenement during the era and the emotional and psychological toll it takes on individuals.

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Drama

Gender Roles

Roles of Women:

Active Women vs. Passive Men: The play presents a stark contrast between active women and passive men. Women in the play are depicted as proactive, involved in various activities, and taking charge of their lives, in contrast to the more passive and lethargic men.

Maggie's Tireless Efforts: Maggie, the central character, is constantly on her feet, tirelessly looking after her family and running the household. Her dedication and hard work are evident throughout the play.

Supportive Women: Women like Lily and Jenny provide support to Maggie and contribute to the family's well-being. Jenny, in particular, physically leaves home to find work and returns with money to help the family.

Isa's Defiance: Isa, unlike the traditional 1930s Glasgow wife, breaks the mold. She defies her husband, Alec, and is unapologetically independent. She goes out to pubs, gets involved in questionable activities, and is unafraid to chase other men. Isa's defiance challenges societal norms.

Lizzie's Business Acumen: Lizzie stands out as an untypical woman of the time. She operates as a moneylender, charging high interest rates and engaging in trade. Her business dealings diverge from the traditional roles expected of women.

Empowerment Through Support: Women in the play rely on each other for support, both within the family and through their relationships with neighbours. This support network plays a crucial role in their lives.

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Drama

Maggie's Assertion of Authority: In Act III, a notable shift occurs when Maggie rises and takes control of the family's decisions, leaving John to sink into a chair. Her tone becomes forceful and uncharacteristic of traditional gender roles. Maggie's assertiveness challenges the male authority in the household.

Challenging Traditional Roles: Maggie's determination to have her family happy and her assertion that she can manage her husband challenge the traditional roles and expectations placed on women in 1930s Glasgow. Her vision for a brighter future underscores her resolve to break free from the control of her husband.

Contrast: The Role and Portrayal of Men in 1930s Glasgow:

Traditional Breadwinners: Men were expected to be the primary breadwinners, and unemployment was considered a disgrace. Failing to provide for their families could lead to a loss of self-esteem.

Heads of the Household: Men were typically regarded as the heads of the household, setting rules and making decisions.

Gendered Responsibilities: Men often regarded housework, cooking, and childcare as the sole responsibilities of women.

Hiding Emotions: Men were expected to conceal their feelings and emotions, adhering to traditional notions of masculinity.

Alec's Deviation from the Norm: Alec, one of the male characters in the play, deviates from the typical 1930s male archetype. He is portrayed as a weak 'mammie's boy' who lacks control over his wife and is dishonest. His idleness and lack of employment prospects disappoint his father.

John's Struggles with Alcohol: John, the father in the play, used to be an alcoholic, reflecting the strong drinking culture prevalent in the West of Scotland. His transformation into a teetotaler is also highlighted.

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Drama

Domestic Violence:

Mr. Bone's Abuse: Mr. Bone, the upstairs neighbour, is depicted as abusive, frequently beating his wife when intoxicated.

Tolerance of Domestic Violence: The play suggests that women were often expected to endure domestic violence, reflecting a prevailing societal norm.

Alec's Violent Outbursts: Alec exhibits bouts of violence, including an incident where he threw a bread knife at Lily. He also threatens Isa with a knife and nearly kills her.

Punitive Parenting: The play alludes to the use of physical punishment, with parents disciplining their children through physical means.

The theme of gender roles in "Men Should Weep" delves into the complex dynamics between men and women, highlighting societal norms and the challenges and defiance exhibited by the female characters in the face of traditional expectations.

Conflict

Social Deprivation and Gender Conflict:

Tensions Between Sisters: The play depicts conflicts arising from social deprivation and gender issues. Initially, we observe a conflict between the sisters, Maggie and Lily, stemming from their contrasting views of men. Their dialogue in Act I highlights their differing viewpoints and concerns.

Maggie's Disapproval: Maggie disapproves of men in a Coocaddens pub, using the phrase "servin dirty hulkin brutes" to depict them as ugly and bestial.

Lily's Concern: Lily describes Maggie's household as a slum, implying it's run-down and unfit for habitation. She also uses "slavin" to emphasize the thankless work Maggie does.

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Drama

Sisterly Concern: Despite the conflict, the tension between the sisters is born out of concern. Lily loves her sister and wants to see her in a better situation, which is why she is present in the final scene when Maggie finally asserts her control.

Generation Gap:

Conflict Between Generations: The play also explores the generational conflict between parents and their children. Jenny, the daughter, rebels and fights for a better chance at life, leading to intense conflicts with her parents, particularly her father, John.

Rebellion and Shocking Behaviour: Jenny's rebellious attitude, sluttish attire, and liberal behaviour shock her parents. John, in particular, is angered by Jenny's behaviour and feels guilty for not having provided for her.

Physical Violence: This generational tension escalates to physical violence when John, unable to handle the attack on his pride, strikes Jenny. The frozen silence that follows conveys shock and determination on both sides not to back down.

Reconciliation: Despite the conflict, there is a glimmer of reconciliation at the end of the play when Jenny takes her father's hand, symbolising an act of contrition.

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Drama

Destructive Relationships:

Alec and Isa's Destructive Relationship: A destructive relationship is portrayed through the characters Alec and Isa. Isa is fed up with her husband, and Alec, who follows her around like a dog, is repressed by his feeble character.

Violent Outbursts: Alec's frustrations build up until they reach a breaking point. When provoked by Isa's threat to leave him for another man, he becomes violent and threatens her. His feeble nature prevents him from causing real harm, but his violent temperament is evident.

Struggle Against Hardship:

Metaphorical Battle: There is a metaphorical battle between the characters and the harshness of their predicament. Each day is a struggle, and the characters are forced to look out for themselves as a priority.

Fighting for Survival: The characters fight against disease and hardship, leading them to prioritise their own needs over others. They scavenge, steal, and use manipulative tactics to ensure their own survival. Only a few, including Lily, John, and Maggie, consistently put the needs of others ahead of their own.

Maggie's Motherly Fight: Maggie, in particular, acts as a mother fighting for the well-being of all the family members, taking on their struggles until the closing scene of the play when she finally begins to assert herself and fight for her own future.

The theme of conflict in "Men Should Weep" underscores the tensions arising from social deprivation, generational differences, destructive relationships, and the daily struggles faced by the characters. These conflicts serve to highlight the harshness of their predicament and their fight for survival.